Griffin confident Broncos can topple Manly

His team has lost five in a row, but coach Anthony Griffin insists Brisbane is good enough to beat an in-form Manly side on Friday night.

The seventh-placed Broncos' season has reached crisis point, having topped the ladder earlier this year, and defeat at Brookvale would leave them in danger of missing the finals for only the second time in 21 years.

However, Griffin, who brought his players down to Sydney on Tuesday to prepare for the game, believes last week's 19-18 home defeat by Melbourne will hold them in good stead against the premiers.

"We don't need to do too much different," Griffin said.

"There was a point in it last week but we probably need our kicking game to be a touch better.

"It was a real high-quality game, both sides were right up for it and, if we can repeat that performance, then we've got a chance."

The Broncos were also gallant in defeat against Canterbury two weeks ago but Griffin knows good displays need to be turned into victories.

"We've been in pretty good form the last couple of weeks but we need to have a good performance on Friday night," he said.

"The two or three weeks before that - when we lost to Canberra and Parramatta - we were below our par, but the last two weeks I've been quite happy.

"We've had a day at the beach yesterday, and a good training session today, and we head to Manly tonight in good spirits and looking forward to the game."

Star centre Justin Hodges looked back to his best last week, clocking up more than 200 metres with the ball, and Griffin has also been encouraged by Ben Hunt's displays at five-eighth.

Corey Norman's switch to full-back meant Hunt slotted in at second receiver and the coach has been happy with how he and Peter Wallace have worked together.

"He's still developing but has been doing a good job there," he said.

"Corey has given us a little bit extra at full-back.

"Justin is back to full fitness and that is the most important thing with him.

"He's very strong in himself and that is good because we need him at his best."

Griffin will be able to name an almost full-strength side with hard-running prop Josh McGuire fully recovered from another eye injury.

The 22-year-old, who underwent a five-hour operation last year for a detached retina, was accidentally poked in the eye against the Bulldogs in round 23 and missed the game against Melbourne.

There were initial fears his season could be over after McGuire's eye filled with blood following the incident but Griffin said he has suffered no further effects.

"We're as in the program - Josh has come through with his eye and Alex Glenn has got through with his hamstring," he said.

"We're like every other team and had our share of injuries but we'll be fine."

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